List Of The Best Hiking Trails in Europe for 2023 | the scariest, the longest, family-friendly

TOP 5 Best Hiking Trails in Europe

Europe offers a wide variety of hiking trails to suit all levels of fitness and experience. Whether you're looking for a challenging high-altitude trek or a leisurely stroll through picturesque countryside, there's a trail out there that's perfect for you.

1. The Tour du Mont Blanc, France, Italy, and Switzerland: The Tour du Mont Blanc is a classic multi-day hike that takes you through the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps and offers some of the most spectacular views in Europe. The trail circles the Mont Blanc massif, passing through picturesque alpine villages and offering views of glaciers, alpine meadows, and snow-capped peaks.
    
2. The Haute Route, Switzerland, and France: The Haute Route is a challenging high-altitude trek that takes you through the heart of the French and Swiss Alps. The trail starts in Chamonix, France, and ends in Zermatt, Switzerland, and takes you through some of the most beautiful alpine landscapes in Europe. Along the way, you'll pass glaciers, rocky peaks, and crystal-clear mountain lakes.
    
3. The West Highland Way, Scotland: The West Highland Way is a classic long-distance hike that takes you through the heart of the Scottish Highlands. The trail starts in Milngavie, just outside Glasgow, and ends in Fort William and takes you through some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes in Scotland. Along the way, you'll pass through ancient Caledonian pinewoods, misty moors, and rugged mountains.
    
4. The Camino de Santiago, Spain: The Camino de Santiago is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes that lead to the shrine of the apostle St. James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The most popular route is the Camino Frances, which starts in St. Jean Pied de Port, France, and ends in Santiago de Compostela. Along the way, you'll pass through picturesque towns and villages and enjoy breathtaking views of the Spanish countryside.
    
5. The Rota Vicentina, Portugal: The Rota Vicentina is a network of hiking trails that takes you through the heart of the Alentejo and Vicentina regions in Portugal. The trail passes through various landscapes, from sandy beaches to rocky cliffs, and takes you through traditional villages and past ancient ruins. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to spot a wide variety of wildlife, including endangered species such as the Iberian lynx and the imperial eagle.

TOP 5 Hiking Trails for Families in Europe

Hiking with children can be a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors, bond with your family, and create lasting memories. Europe offers a wide variety of hiking trails that are suitable for families with children, and here are the top 5 best hiking trails to explore with kids in Europe. 

1. The High-Line 179, Germany: The High-Line 179 is a unique and scenic hiking trail that runs along an old railway line in the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz. The trail is flat and easy to walk, making it perfect for families with young children. Along the way, you'll pass through beautiful forests, along the river Rhine and over picturesque viaducts and bridges.
    
2. The Seven Sisters, England: The Seven Sisters is a beautiful coastal hike in East Sussex, England. The trail takes you along the famous white cliffs and offers spectacular views of the English Channel. The trail is easy to walk and suitable for families with children of all ages. Along the way, you can stop to explore the many rock pools and caves and spot the local wildlife.
    
3. The Little Prince Trail, France: The Little Prince Trail is a scenic hike that takes you through the heart of the Vosges Mountains in France. The trail is easy to walk and suitable for families with children of all ages. Along the way, you'll pass through beautiful forests and have the opportunity to see the local wildlife and learn about the history of the Vosges Mountains.
    
4. The Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia: The Plitvice Lakes National Park is a beautiful and unique national park in Croatia. The park is home to a series of interconnected waterfalls and lakes and offers a wide variety of hiking trails suitable for families with children. The trails are easy to walk and offer spectacular views of the waterfalls and lakes.
    
5. The Rota Vicentina, Portugal: The Rota Vicentina is a network of hiking trails that takes you through the heart of the Alentejo and Vicentina regions in Portugal. The trails are easy to walk and suitable for families with children of all ages. Along the way, you'll pass through traditional villages and have the opportunity to spot a wide variety of wildlife, including endangered species such as the Iberian lynx and the imperial eagle.

Europe offers a wide variety of hiking trails that are suitable for families with children. Whether you're looking for a scenic coastal hike or a leisurely stroll through the forest, there's a trail out there that's perfect for your family. Remember always to take proper precautions while hiking with kids, such as checking the weather forecast, bringing enough water, snacks, and sun protection, and making sure that everyone is dressed appropriately for the trail.

TOP 5 Scariest Hiking Trails in Europe

Hiking can be a thrilling and exhilarating experience, but for some people, the thrill comes from the fear and excitement of tackling a challenging and dangerous trail. Europe is home to some of the most challenging and terrifying hiking trails in the world, and here are the top 5 scariest hiking trails in Europe.

1. The Caminito del Rey, Spain: The Caminito del Rey, or "King's Little Path," is a narrow and crumbling trail that runs along the steep gorge of the Gaitanes in southern Spain. The trail is over 100 years old and has been closed for repairs for many years but has recently been re-opened. The trail is only 1 meter wide and, in some sections, has no guardrails, making it a thrilling and terrifying experience for hikers.
    
2. The Trolltunga, Norway: The Trolltunga is a spectacular hike that takes you to a rocky outcropping high above the Ringedalsvatnet lake in Norway. The trail is long and challenging and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The final approach to the Trolltunga is a narrow and exposed path, with a sheer drop on one side, making it a truly terrifying experience for hikers.
    
3. The Tour du Mont Blanc, France, Italy, and Switzerland: The Tour du Mont Blanc is a classic multi-day hike that takes you through the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps and offers some of the most spectacular views in Europe. However, the trail can be challenging, with steep climbs and descents and exposed sections, making it a scary experience for hikers.
    
4. The Rifugio Lagazuoi, Italy: The Rifugio Lagazuoi is a challenging hike that takes you to a mountain refuge high in the Dolomites in Italy. The trail is steep and exposed, with narrow and crumbling paths, making it a truly terrifying experience for hikers. Once you reach the Rifugio Lagazuoi, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, but getting there can be a nerve-wracking experience.
    
5. The Via Ferrata, Various locations in Europe: The Via Ferrata is a type of mountain climbing that involves using a steel cable, ladders, and other fixed equipment to scale steep and vertical rock faces. There are several Via Ferrata routes in Europe, such as the famous one in the Dolomites, Italy, that offer a thrilling and terrifying experience for hikers. The routes are challenging and require a high fitness level and experience, but the rewards are well worth it.

These trails are not for the faint-hearted and require proper equipment, good physical condition, and experience. It's important to be aware of the risks and to take the necessary precautions to ensure your own safety and that of your companions. Remember, these trails are challenging and dangerous and should only be attempted by experienced hikers with the proper equipment and training.

TOP 5 Long Hiking Trails in Europe

Europe is home to some of the longest and most challenging hiking trails in the world, and for those who are looking for a true test of endurance and willpower, these top 5 longest hiking trails in Europe are a must-see.

1. The E1 European Long Distance Path: The E1 European Long Distance Path is a long-distance hiking trail that runs from the northernmost point of Norway to the southernmost point of Sicily, covering a distance of approximately 5,000 km. The trail passes through some of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in Europe, including fjords, mountains, forests, and beaches.
    
2. The Europaweg, Switzerland: The Europaweg is a long-distance hiking trail that runs through the Swiss Alps, covering a distance of approximately 120 km. The trail starts in the town of Grächen and ends in the town of Zermatt and takes hikers through some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in Europe. Along the way, you'll pass through alpine meadows, glaciers, and rocky peaks.
    
3. The Kungsleden, Sweden: The Kungsleden is a long-distance hiking trail that runs through the Swedish mountains, covering a distance of approximately 440 km. The trail starts in the town of Abisko and ends in the town of Hemavan and takes hikers through some of the most remote and beautiful wilderness in Europe. Along the way, you'll pass through forests, mountains, and along pristine lakes and rivers.
    
4. The GR 20, Corsica: The GR 20 is a challenging long-distance hiking trail that runs through the heart of Corsica, covering a distance of approximately 180 km. The trail starts in Calenzana and ends in Conca and takes hikers through some of the most rugged and spectacular mountain landscapes in Europe. Along the way, you'll pass through forests, alpine meadows, and rocky peaks.
    
5. The Rota Vicentina, Portugal: The Rota Vicentina is a network of hiking trails that takes you through the heart of the Alentejo and Vicentina regions in Portugal, covering a distance of approximately 250 km. The trail passes through a variety of landscapes, from sandy beaches to rocky cliffs, and takes you through traditional villages and past ancient ruins. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to spot a wide variety of wildlife, including endangered species such as the Iberian lynx and the imperial eagle.

In conclusion, Europe offers a wide variety of long-distance hiking trails to suit all fitness levels and experiences. These trails are not for the faint-hearted and require proper planning, equipment, and preparation. The trails can take weeks or even months to complete, but the rewards of seeing the beautiful landscapes, reaching the summit of a mountain, and the sense of accomplishment are well worth it.

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